GLENDORA BOYS BASKETBALL
SEMIFINALS
Damien 66, Walnut 60
GLENDORA —It takes a lot to beat the Damien High School boys basketball team.
Walnut found out how tough it is Friday night.
Jeremey Hemsley scored 19 points and Malik Fitts had 18 and the Spartans used a 14-0 blitz during the middle of the fourth quarter to score a 66-60 victory over the Mustangs in a Glendora Tournament semifinal game at Glendora High School.
Damien, also getting 11 points from Micah Robinson, improved to 4-0 and advanced to tonight’s championship game to face Burbank — which beat South Pasadena, 54-42 — at 7:30.
Walnut, getting 16 points from Rob Harrelson and 14 from Zuri Williams, slipped to 4-4. The Mustangs, who led 35-30 at halftime, will face South Pasadena, also at Glendora High School at 6 p.m. Host Glendora will face Don Lugo at 4:30.
Damien, after trailing, 35-30, at halftime and 50-48 after three quarters, used a three-minute stretch to take command. Fitts hit a 3-pointer to tie the score at 53 at with 6:27 left the fourth quarter before Hemsley made one of two free throws for a 54-43 advantage at 6:01. Fitts followed with a 3-point play before Tyler Ginyard hit a 3-pointer for a 60-53 edge with 4:22 remaining. Isaiah McCullough and Hemsley converted putbacks to complete the 14-0 blitz for a 64-53 lead with 2:57 left.Damien coach Matt Dunn: “Walnut does a great job of keeping the game at their pace. We had trouble all game long. There was a three-minute window where we did things right. Malik Fitts hit some big shots and Jeremy made good decisions down the stretch. But I never really felt like we were in a very good rhythm.”Jeremy Hemsley: “We started off kind of slow. It was kind of a sloppy game. We never lose confidence. Whenever where we are in a situation where we are losing, we always feel confident. We’re not going to get down on ourselves. We’re going to try and play harder than the other team.”Burbank 54, South Pasadena 42
Burbank, after South Pasadena tied it at 40 during the middle of the fourth quarter, closed its semifinal win with a 14-2 run to advance to face Damien. Joey Toyama scored nine points to lead South Pasadena (4-3).South Pasadena coach David Lutzeier: “We didn’t play our best game. I think it’s a hangover from beating Glendora (on Wednesday). We were really excited to beat Glendora, and I think it kind of drained us.”

These are the new Mt. SAC area teams for the 2014 football season. What we don’t know is what division they will compete in, or what happens to Damien while it fights CIF over joining a parochial league. It is unlikely that the Palomares League (formerly the Sierra), will stay in the Inland Division. Personally, would love the Palomares and Hacienda to both be in the Southeast. That would create some yummy playoff match-ups. Also, I’m hearing there could be a shake-up in the Mid-Valley Division. Likely to join the Mid-Valley are the Montview and the new Miramonte league. The two leagues that could leave the Mid-Valley to make room are the Rio Hondo (with Monrovia) and the Alpha League (which includes Paraclete). Those two leagues will likely join the Northwest.

Sources have confirmed that former Los Altos coach Greg Gano, who won four championships at Los Altos, has applied for the head coaching position at Wilson. It could be an ideal fit for Gano, who had a tough time at Damien and most recently Tustin, where he didn’t finish the 2013 season, resigning after an 0-4 start.

First thoughts: Wilson would be nuts not to hire Gano. You put Gano back in the SGV at a public school like Wilson, who competes in the Valle Vista league and is attractive from an academic standpoint for potential transfers and skies the limit. Plus, you’re hiring the former head coach of an old rival, which makes it even more appealing for the Wildcats. You want to instantly raise your street cred, this is the hire you make. Sources also suggest that Nogales could be appealing to Gano, but that the position may not become available. Athletic Director Bruce Alley, who took over the team just weeks before the 2013 season on an interim basis, is considering remaining on as the permanent coach.

Our colleagues at the Long Beach Press-Telegram produced this sensational highlight package from Saturday’s Southeast title game, won in double-overtime on a do-or-die play by La Serna, 41-38. You got to hand it to Long Beach guys Mike Guardabascio and J.J. Fiddler, they did a great job putting this together. What an incredible game and ending.

“I think the only people that thought we were going to win were myself and the guys in our locker room. Coming off the bus I said, “We’re not here to get pushed around. We’re not here to lose this game. We’re here to fight, and I think we did it all four quarters.” – South Pasadena coach Dave Lutzeier said following the win over Glendora.

Daily Breeze prep reporter Tony Ciniglio did what any of us would do. He tried getting celebration video of Lawndale’s wild 54-48 2OT win over Leuzinger but as he followed the action, a near fight broke out and then a Lawndale player wound up smacking the phone from his hand .. If this is how you celebrate when you win, I’d hate to see what happens when you lose ..

By Stephen Ramirez
steve.ramirez@langnews.com
@steverramirez on Twitter
GLENDORA – South Pasadena High School has opened the boys basketball season with a couple of close losses.
The Tigers made sure Tuesday that wouldn’t happen a third time.
Joey Toyama scored 18 points and Greg Luck had 10 and South Pasadena used a 12-0 start en route to a 55-25 victory over Charter Oak in the first round of the Glendora Tournament at Glendora High School.
The Tigers, who also got six points each from Logan Wong and Christian Lee, improved to 3-2. They will face Glendora, which beat Northview, 61-22, in tonight’s quarterfinals at 7:30 p.m.
Dakota Golden had eight points and Joe Bonilla seven for Charter Oak, which slipped to 0-3.
South Pasadena, which has a two-point overtime loss to Eagle Rock and a 1-point setback to Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies to open the season, made five of its first nine attempts to jump out to a 12-0 lead in the first quarter and 15-2 early in the second quarter. The Tigers, after Charter Oak used a 9-5 run to get back into it, closed the half with an 11-3 blitz and a 17-7 run in the third quarter to win going away.South Pasadena coach David Lutzeier: “Early on, we shot the ball well. We kind of went flat for a little while, but I was proud of the way they shot the ball late in the game. They shot with confidence.”Charter Oak coach Jason Rochwerg: “We came out flat and it was one of those things that carried throughout the game. We really didn’t take care of the ball like we normally do. I just think we couldn’t find any rhythm. Give South Pasadena credit. That 1-3-1 (zone) they ran, our kids couldn’t make the adjustment. Unfortunately, we picked a bad night to have a bad shooting night on top of it.”TUESDAY’S SCORES
FIRST ROUND
Upper Bracket
Damien 94, vs. Bassett 33
Serrano 48, San Dimas 34
Don Lugo 75, West Covina 69
Walnut 76, Jurupa Hills 48Lower Bracket
Rowland 64, Baldwin Park 37
Burbank 74, Sierra Vista 30
South Pasadena 55, Charter Oak 25
Glendora 61, Northview 22WEDNESDAY’S QUARTERFINALS
Damien vs. Serrano, at Glendora, 4:30 p.m.
Don Lugo vs. Walnut at West Covina, 7:30 p.m.
Rowland vs. Burbank, at Rowland, 4:30 p.m.
Glendora vs. South Pasadena, at Glendora, 7:30 p.m.

“Those teams at the top (of the Open Division) are in a different class. I know they’re trying to sell the point that if you get selected to the Open Division you’ll make it to the state playoffs, but I think a CIF championship means more for schools like us.” – Bonita girls coach Darren Baumunk, whose team was moved from Division II-AA last season to Division I-AA this year.

“I don’t know that we would have been invited anyway, but winning Division III-AA was an incredible thing for our school and community. If we would have been selected to the Open Division and lost in the first round, there’s no way we would have felt the same way. You start your season every year with a goal to win a CIF title. There are a few teams like Mater Dei and others that would compete for the Open Division title every year, but for most of us, playing in the Open Division isn’t as ideal as being in the (division) you’re assigned to and having a chance to win it.” --Damien boys basketball coach Matt Dunn. Damien won the Division III-AA title last season and ascended to Division I-AA this year and faces the prospect of being selected for the Open Division.

Glendora to the finals: Brea Olinda put a scare into Glendora High’s basketball team on Friday night, but the Tartans still found a way to win.
A.J. Bigornia scored 29 points, including his 3-point basket with 1:22 remaining in overtime, that carried Glendora to a 64-62 win in the semifinals of the Tip-Off Classic at Northview High.
The Tartans will play Thousand Oaks, a 75-52 winner over Ontario’s Colony High in tonight’s championship game. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Northview.

By Stephen Ramirez
steve.ramirez@langnews.com
@steverramirez on Twitter
BALDWIN PARK — Glendora High School has won some big boys basketball games in recent years.
The experienced gained from those wins played a part for the Tartans on Thursday.
Thomas Rico scored 17 points and Brandon Brothers had 14 and Glendora outscored Walnut, 9-2, down the stretch to secure a 54-47 victory over the Mustangs in a Sierra Vista-Baldwin Park Winter Tip-Off Tournament quarterfinal at Baldwin Park High School.
Kyle Bracy had 10 points for the Tartans, who improved to 3-0. Glendora will face Brea Olinda, 47-37 winner over Keppel, in Friday’s semifinals, scheduled for 6 p.m. at Northview High School. The other half of the bracket pits the winners of Colony-Claremont and Diamond Ranch-Thousand Oaks at 7:30 p.m. at Northview. The title game is slated for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Northview.
Walnut, getting 19 points from Zuri Williams and 13 from Rob Harrelson, slipped to 2-1.
Bracy and Joseph Alvarez, with the score tied at 45 with just over three minutes to play, combined on two free throws for a 47-45 advantage before Brothers pushed it to 48-45 on a layup with 1:51 left to play and A.J. Bigornia followed with a 3-pointer for a 51-45 lead at 1:06.
Alvarez got a key rebound and two free throws for a 53-45 lead with 19 seconds left. Walnut’s Ben Lunblade, after a Alvarez free throw, made a putback at the buzzer to account for the 54-47 final.Glendora coach Mike LeDuc: “I think it (experience) does help. But you have to remember, we haven’t played a game that meant anything since July. The first two games we (had big leads), so it’s our first challenging game. Well, you have to get back into the sink of these type of games, games where you have to make good decisions and good execution.”Walnut coach Josh Cameron: “It’s a tied game with two minutes and our big kid (Richard Rycraw) fouls out. We gave up some offensive rebounds that led to some fouls. They ran a great screen play that led to an open shot, they hit the big shot and got them the lead. Credit it to them, they made some big shots down the stretch and we didn’t it. That was the ball game.”

Don’t want to fight the ticket lines on Friday for the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division title game between host San Dimas and Paraclete?
San Dimas has a solution for you — a presale.
The school announced today that they will be selling tickets to the game on Thursday and Friday between 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tickets costs $10 for adults, and $5 for students with an ID and children under age 14.
The school also announced that additional parking will be made available at McKinley Boys Home, which is on Cypress, north of Lone Hill Ave.

ALSO, TAKE A LOOK AT SAN DIMAS’ OPPONENT, PARACLETE IN A 36-22 LOSS TO SALESIAN, A TEAM THAT BEAT RIO HONDO PREP AND IS ALSO PLAYING FOR A TITLE

On the CIF jobs wanted website there are plenty of football openings in the Valley.
– Diamond Bar is seeking a defensive coach and possible coordinator for football. Those interested should contact coach Ryan Maine at rmaine@wvusd.k12.ca.us.
– Wilson High School is looking for a new head football coach, those interested should contact AD Mark at mfessenden@hlpusd.k12.ca.us
California High School is looking for a new head football coach with possible teaching job with it. Contact James Arnold at james.arnold@wuhsd.org
– South El Monte is looking for an assistant football coach, contact AD Sonia Ayala at sayala@emuhsd.k12.ca.us
– Workman High School is looking for assistant football coach, contact head coach Eric MacIntyre 626-893-5135, emacintyre@hlpusd.k12.ca.us
– Bonita is looking for an offensive line coach, contact coach Adrian Medrano at a.medrano@bonita.k12.us

POST SCORES:Following boys and girls soccer is as easy as your coaches make it. If they update scores and stats we can all follow along and have fun this season with MaxPreps standings, schedules, rosters and stats. So, encourage your coaches, this is your time and we want to follow you. You can also tweet me final scores to @sgvnsports or call in results to 626-544-0992 or email results to scores@sgvn.com. Next week I’ll post the first boys and girls soccer rankings along with the MaxPreps standings grid.

RANK ‘EM: Now an even better question … New year, new faces, so tell me some of the stud boys and girls I should keep an eye on and which teams are going to be good. For a while now it’s been about Bishop Amat, Diamond Bar, St. Lucy’s, Sierra Vista, Walnut girls and Damien, Los Altos, Mountain View, Pomona, Ganesha and South Hills boys. Tell me there’s something new to write and talk about.

By Stephen Ramirez
@steverramirez on Twitter
BALDWIN PARK – There was nothing but bragging rights on the line Wednesday night at Baldwin Park High School.
For the host Braves, that was enough.
Corey Garcia scored 20 points, including nine in the fourth quarter, and the Baldwin Park boys basketball team scored a 51-45 victory over intra-city rival Sierra Vista in a pool-play game at the fourth annual Sierra Vista-Baldwin Park Winter Tip-Off Tournament.
Juan Garcia also had 14 points for the Braves, who improved to 1-1. Corey Garcia also had 12 rebounds.
Steven Baron had 12 points and Christian Lopez and Brian Marquez nine each for the Dons, who slipped to 0-2.
Baldwin Park, which put together a 10-0 run in the second quarter en route to a 25-17 lead at halftime, overcame a sluggish third quarter with a solid performance down the stretch.
The Braves, after Sierra Vista closed to within 33-31 following a 3-pointer by Baron late in the third, used a 15-8 surge to go up 48-39 with just over a minute to play following four consecutive free throws by Corey Garcia, a 9-foot turnaround by Bernard Granados and a 3-pointer by Juan Garcia.Baldwin Park coach Israel Anguiano: “It’s big, it’s bragging rights. I go hang out with (Sierra Vista coach Herman Flores) from time to time. I want to make sure I have that upper hand every time we meet at a pizza place or something. As far as the kids go, it’s a nice game for both schools. You could see the stands were filled. I’m very proud of my kids.”Sierra Vista coach Herman Flores: “It’s an excellent rivalry and it’s intense. The kids sometimes lose focus, but our inability to make free throws hurt us today, our inability to make layups hurt us today. In the moment of the game, the kids just threw the ball away. It’s just early-season mistakes, but we’ll continue to work on it. We came back and had every opportunity to win it, but we missed 14 free throws.”

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